Homeowners Mike and Sandra Lawrence bought this sprawling Hudson, Quebec property back in 1973, and have been grooming the grounds ever since. The main house, built in 1840, features the same wood shingles that age beautifully over time. Instead of painting the shed white to match the house, they opted for a warm taupe that wouldn’t stand out too much on the seven-and-a-half acre property.

H&H editor-in-chief Suzanne Dimma and her husband, 3rd Uncle principal Arriz Hassam, designed this cottage with the environment in mind. Built completely off-the-grid, they wanted a cottage that would blend in with its natural surroundings. They removed the fewest number of trees to build, never even considering razing the site. To the left, a box-like structure is actually a concealed tool shed and workspace, and elevates the home 24 feet into the views of the lake. Inside, the floors are made from reclaimed Douglas fir, adding a warm and cosy feel to the open-concept kitchen/dining/living room. Even the island is encased in reclaimed wood. The house runs on solar power (even the fridge), and a high-efficiency wood-burning stove provides heat. To round out its self-sufficiency, the cottage also features a propane stove and a compost toilet. “There’s something so satisfying about living in a place that runs off sunlight and earth and connects so fluidly with nature,” says Suzanne.

This cute shed on Claire and Bernard Rouleau’s Ayer’s Cliff property resembles a dollhouse, except instead of dolls, squirrels and birds can feel right at home. The unsealed wood siding takes on a worn, rustic look over time and camouflages the structure into its woodsy surroundings.

Toronto designer Sharon Mimran wanted her yard to be reimagined as a crisp and traditional courtyard. Playing with scale, a Chippendale-style gate and lattice fence lead the view into the private yard. Glimpsed from the street, the 7′ by 7′ storage shed resembles the Victorian style of the main house. The circular mirror and mansard roof is a favourite combination of Mimran’s.

Perrett Farm, nestled in a lush area of the Niagara Escarpment, is lined with perennial gardens and timeworn buildings. The owners wanted to add a modern 50-foot saltwater lap pool and entertaining patio without obstructing the views from the house. So, architect Anthony Belcher designed the pool 120 feet away from the house, buffered by a tall garden. An open pergola with slats of ipe wood keep the patio bright, while sleek and simple furnishings add drama.

If space permits, a new shed like this one stores everything you need and can be designed to work with the main home’s style and colour palette. West coast landscape architect Ron Rule made this sage stucco shed the focal point of this lush yard. Inside, exposed beams, a Pennsylvania bluestone floor and a slate mosaic backsplash lend a rustic vibe. Plants take in the sun on a slatted work bench by the windows.

Maximize space in a small backyard by designing a simple structure the width of the yard to store away patio furniture in the winter and gardening necessities in the summer. Build in a fireplace for cosy entertaining. A green roof on top adds privacy and blends in with tree foliage at the same height.

Create division between a pool and gardens with a multifunctional pergola.

Don’t just dine alfresco, cook alfresco with a barbecue station. If you entertain large groups, invest in a large table, too — this one seats ten! A sleek pergola overhead ties the two areas together, while slim stone pillars keep the views to the garden open.

Hanging two wreaths, instead of one, gives this tiny shed a fairy-tale feel. Ornaments strung along the charming white fence up the festive ante, and since these ones are fashioned from faux rosehip and evergreen, they’ll hold up beautifully all season.

Landscape architect Ron Holbrook wanted classic architectural details to define this Toronto yard. Two pavilions draw the eye outward from the house. A gravel area with bistro table is a casual spot to snack after a swim, with comfortable lounge chairs flanking each side of the pool. In the foreground, an upper terrace offers a more formal dining area for entertaining.